Man fatally shoots woman in Riverside after she found him burglarizing her car

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. —

UPDATE | August 5, 2021 · 5:19 PM

Police have released a new photo of another person of interest in the murder of a 27-year-old woman.

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said while the individual is not a suspect, he may hold important information in the case and officers are still attempting to identify him.

The individual is frequently seen in the Riverside area, according to JSO.

If you have any information regarding the person of interest or the suspect that was captured on surveillance video, you’re asked to call the sheriff’s office at 904-630-0500 or email JSOCrimeTips@jaxsheriff.org. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS.

First Coast Crime Stoppers are offering a $4,000 reward and the F.O.P. Foundation is also offering an additional $5,000.

UPDATE | August 4, 2021 · 7:20 PM

On Wednesday night the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office released more information into the murder of a young woman who was shot and killed after she approached a man in the process of burglarizing her car early Tuesday morning.

Action News Jax has since learned the woman was a member of the U.S. Coast Guard.

The sheriff’s office now says the suspect in her murder was captured on surveillance video prior to the shooting.

Officers say following the shooting, the man was seen running in the 2600 block of Rosselle Street where he was picked up by an unknown individual driving a newer model Ford Edge.

The Coast Guard provided the following statement to Action News Jax:

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of a member of our Coast Guard family and we offer our deepest condolences to their family and those impacted by this tragedy. The Coast Guard is ensuring support resources are available to aid the member’s family and shipmates as we navigate this difficult time. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office is the lead agency for this investigation with assistance from the Coast Guard Investigative Service. We are coordinating with them as they conduct their investigation.”

While the Coast Guard did confirm the death of their active duty member who officials say was assigned to the Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron, or “HITRON,” in Jacksonville, they are not identifying the victim at this time.

An enhanced reward is being offered for information in this murder. Along with a $4,000 reward from First Coast Crime Stoppers, the F.O.P. Foundation is offering an additional $5,000.

If you have information contact the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office at 904-630-0500 or email JSOCrimeTips@jaxsheriff.org.

To remain anonymous and receive a possible reward of up to $9,000 contact Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS.

ORIGINAL STORY |

Action News Jax has learned new details about the 27-year-old woman who police say was shot and killed Tuesday morning when she tried to stop a man from burglarizing her car at her home on Myra Street.

RELATED: JSO: Woman shot to death after confronting man breaking into her car in Riverside

Two special agents with the Coast Guard confirmed with Action News Jax that the victim was a member of the Coast Guard.

Two neighbors in the victim’s building told Action News Jax her name was Caroline.

JSO says the victim called 911 after she saw a man breaking into her car. Police say she confronted the man who then shot her.

A next door neighbor told Action News Jax he heard “multiple gunshots” early Tuesday morning and when he ran outside, found his neighbor laying on the ground.

“This is the first time that this has ever happened,” Linda Welch, a neighbor around the corner said.

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Welch has lived in the neighborhood since 1976. She’s never heard of anything like this happening on Myra Street.

Welch says she feels “a little weary” in the neighborhood following the incident, but says, “I stay in the house most of the time, and somebody’s always home.”

Welch says she’s like to see more police officers patrolling the area.

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